Former Indian Health Services Employee Indicted for Theft

(Phoenix, Ariz. – July 22, 2004) Barney Joseph Ahgoon will be arraigned July 26 in Maricopa County Superior. The 12 felony counts handed down from the Arizona State Grand Jury include one count Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, one count Theft, one count Attempted Theft and nine counts Forgery for allegedly embezzling over $700,000 from Indian Health Services, his former employer.

The indictment was handed down July 13, and it alleges that between March 16, 1999 and March 23, 2004, Ahgoon embezzled more than $769,797.94 by placing his name on checks and then cashing them. The indictment included one count Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, one count theft, one count attempted theft, and nine counts forgery.

The case was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). If convicted Ahgoon faces up to 12.5 years in prison. Assistant Attorney General Pamela Svoboda has been assigned to this case, and the Attorney General’s Office will refrain from further comment pending the final outcome of this case.